Ladder Materials : Types, Their Advantages & Disadvantages

Ladder materials
play a vital role in picking the right ladder for the job.

Undoubtedly, a ladder is a must-have asset to anyone who works with ladders. Different types of ladders are available today. But do you know what the different types of materials ladder made from are?

Modern ladders come in various design and are
made of different materials. When selecting a ladder for your job, it’s
essential to know the benefits of each type.

So, we like to inform our reader different types of ladder materials and their merits and of course demerits (if any).

Read Along!

Types of Ladder Materials- Advantages & Disadvantages

The four most popular materials for ladder include:

Timber/ Wood

Aluminum

Fiberglass

Steel

*** There are also ladders made from plastics and ropes.

Timber/ Wood

Timber/wood is one of the most common
materials used for making ladders. As wood is a readily available and
inexpensive material, wood ladders are by far most affordable next to ropes and
plastic ladders. For this reason, wooden ladders are among the popular choices
for small business owner and homeowners.

Some timber ladders are heavier than other type of ladder made from other materials. In fact, this makes them safer and sturdier for those tough jobs. The natural durability of wood provides this type of ladder an impressively long lifespan as long as you take proper care of them.

Although wood ladders are non-conductive, some may feature metal fasteners. These make them not perfect for electrical work.

Aluminum

Aluminum ladders come with many advantages. They are lighter than fiberglass and timber counterparts. So, this type of ladder is easier and safer to handle for a single person.

Aluminum ladders are durable, rust and adverse weather resistant. So, you can store them outdoors with no adverse effects. Finally, they are affordable.

Advantages of Aluminum

Lightweight and practical

Easy to transport

Corrosion- and moisture resistant

Non-magnetic

Disadvantages
of Aluminum

Electricity and heat conductive

Not safe to use near any electrical sources

Prone to bend under heavy pressure

Not ideal for very heavy-duty weighted projects

Aluminum Vs. Fiberglass

Aluminum

Fiberglass

Cheaper than fiberglass ladders

Somewhat pricier than aluminum ladders

More lightweight than fiberglass ladders

Slight heavier than aluminum ladders

Are less likely prone to crack in comparison with fiberglass ladders

More prone to crack than aluminum ladder

More likely to bend in comparison with fiberglass ladders

Less likely to bend in comparison with aluminum ladders

Less stronger than fiberglass counterpart

Stronger than aluminum counterpart

Less weather resistant than aluminum

More weather resistant

Not electrical shocks resistant

Electricity and electrical shocks resistant

Less flame resistant than fiberglass ladders

More flame resistant than aluminum ladders

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is the newest material in ladder manufacturing industries. This type of ladder features some distinctive features. This ladder type is considered to be the safest option.

In some cases, fiberglass ladders are stronger than aluminum ladders. In addition, unlike aluminum, fiberglass ladders are less likely to weaken or bend in hot temperatures.

Advantages of Fiberglass

Moisture and corrosion resistant

Non-conductors of heat and electricity

Built to last many years

Safer option for jobs that involve electricity

Perfect to use in commercial or industrial purposes

Disadvantages
of Fiberglass

Heavier than other types of ladder

Difficult to handle by one person

Under excess pressure, this type of ladder may
snap

Not well-suited for heavy-duty weighted
projects

More expensive

Steel

Steel ladders compete with fiberglass and aluminum ladders for lightweight honors. Steel is the most durable material for ladders. And ladder made with steel is very safe to use even in the rough environment of constructions and warehouses. That’s why steel ladders are the all-time favorite of most professionals who need ladder in their work. But this type of ladder is not an ideal choice for the DIYer.

Advantages of Steel

Well-suited to heavy-duty weighted projects

Resilient and more robust than aluminum and
fiberglass ladders

Affordable than fiberglass and aluminum ladders

Disadvantages of
Steel

Conductors of both heat and electricity

Not moisture or corrosion-resistant

Prone to rusting

Heavier than aluminum and fiberglass counterpart

Conclusion

Hope, this article has provided you a bit
of insight into some key differences among a few most common ladder materials.

Remember!

Ladder made with different types of materials has its particular values on the job. And materials influences not only ladder safety and durability but also ladder price.